Did you screech to a stop and gaze into this baby's eyes, feeling like a driver that caught a deer in the vehicle's headlights? I did when I saw the reference picture of this delightful child. Drawing this baby was pure fun and a learning experience. I've never done the tiny fabrics on a blanket like this before. So you and I are going to venture down this road and plunge into "How to Draw a Realistic Baby." I hope you get that wonderful feeling I got from drawing her big beautiful eyes, wisps of fine hair, juicy chewable cheeks and a Downy-soft blanket. *Mmmm...snuggle*

How to Draw a Realistic Baby

STEP 1.

Draw in lightly the concave figure. Notice the shape is leaning towards the right.

STEP 2.

bisect the curved shape with a line.

STEP 3.

Sketch in the partial crescent for her bang placement and head mass.

STEP 4.

Draw in the lines representing a. the eyebrows, b. the eyes, c. bottom of her nose, and d. her mouth.

STEP 5.

Now you can draw (lightly please) the placements for her eyebrows and her eyes.

STEP 6.

These lines and curves will help you with placements of the blanket, her cheeks and shoulders. Don't forget her irises, pupils, eyelids, and ear.

STEP 7.

This is fantastic. This realistic baby is taking on personality. Feather in her long lashes. Try drawing in the curved shapes representing her arm, forearm, and upper chest. Remember to get her cute little pudgy hand and fingers that she is resting her face on.

STEP 8.

It's time for the hair challenge. Draw in the lines as they appear. Since a baby's hair is very fine, you will not need as many hair strands.

STEP 9.

As you can see there are no new lines. At this point you can erase the guidelines. If you would like to only draw this picture, you can stop at the next step. But if you would like to learn how to shade, highlight, make reflective light and more great tips, please continue through the whole tutorial.

STEP 10.

Your picture might appear like this. Enjoy the moment and know that you have created something of your own hands... and it is beautiful. Isn't she sweet! Juicy cheeks, big beautiful eyes, and beautiful wisps of fine hair. The next steps will show lots of tips and fun things. Hey, babies are fun anyway when you're a grandma! *wink*

STEP 11.

This sketched outline looks different because these are the guidelines I used to help with her features and accuracy. If you are a seasoned artist and don't need the other guidelines, you can use this. SMALL TIP: I took my T-square and triangle to make those lines on a drawing board. I had to angle the paper on the board to get the vertical & horizontal lines. TIP OVER

STEP 12.

Here are the pencils and blending tools I used. You can refer to this picture when I talk about "The Tools to Use" in the next step & Step 16.

STEP 13.

These are the tools I used. You can refer back to Step 12 to see how they look.

STEP 14.

Have mercy, those eyes get me every time! *giggle* Okay, sketch in lines or small circles with a 0.7mm 2B lead mechanical pencil. You can use a 0.5mm 2H mech pencil for the lines on the blanket that is over her head. Darken those luscious irises and pupil with a 9B pencil.

STEP 15.

Blend the blanket with a blending stump. Notice how the lines disappeared. Now you can blend with a tissue on her face. Detail with a stump her cheek and shadowed areas.

STEP 16.

Take a look at more tools to use for extra detail to bring out that realistic look. Notice the directional arrows on the blanket? That is important. When you're drawing, blending or highlighting, you need to watch your reference pic closely to see what directions those fabrics flow. I'm not good at multi-tasking, so that was a first-time challenge for me.

STEP 17.

Overhand is great for writing and details. Underhand shading covers lots of areas. The shading from dark to light is a great exercise of control.

STEP 18.

The empty shapes you can print out then practice shading, blending to help with control also.

STEP 19.

A one-year old child's head is very small compared to an adult.

STEP 20.

Babies are wonderful. At home we love to -- 1. dress them in soft knit clothing while they suck their thumbs (fingers are stubby and nose is pudgy), 2. watch them grow and poke out their tongues (eyes are large and start at 1/2 point down the head), 3. See them play with their feet while gurgling and goo'ing (head is 1/3 the size of their body).

STEP 21.

Click here for some great tips on tone, shading, texture and reflective light.

STEP 22.

For tips on baby's highlights, click on this pictures.

STEP 23.

Add more line details in the blanket and keep darkening other areas with the 9B pencil as mentioned in Tools to Use-Details in Step 16.

STEP 24.

I wanted her eyes to POP OUT like in the ref pic so I highlighted them with Titanic White acrylic. And the blanket fibers I fluffed over with the white also. SMALL TIP: Her random hair strands I came down with 9B pencil and light went over the dark area with white...then toned it down a bit by blending the white area with a tortillon - TIP OVER. Please don't be shy. I'd love to hear what you have to say. Don't forget to comment, fav, and vote for me too! Luv you all so much! *blowkiss* *tight hug*

Members Login Here

DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest!
Register Now!